The former football players are accused of making false statements and sexually assaulting the woman at a house in Annapolis, in 2012.

Lt. Cmdr. Angela Tang, an attorney for Graham, noted the case's high profile in the debate over military sexual misconduct and asked if media reports could have influenced the investigating officer's opinion.

Cmdr. Robert Monahan Jr., the investigating officer, says he will treat this case as he treats any case, relying on his legal experience.

Authorities said the attack occurred in April 2012 in an off-campus house.

The case has brought renewed attention to how the nation's military academies handle reports of sexual assault.

In addition, a string of sexual assault cases has drawn attention in Congress, the Pentagon and the White House.